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Friday, September 4, 2015

A white Egret standing in the Himeji Plain

Himeji Castle (National Treasure; UNESCO World Cultural Heritage) is a gracefully armed castle which has never been attacked. It is one of the most beautiful and popular castles in Japan known for the white plastered earthen walls and six-story donjon as central keep.

The castle is nicknamed "Shirasagi-Jyo" meaning the White Egret Castle. This image would be similar to Neuschwanstein Castle of Germany which looks like a white swan. Since the Himeji Castle stands on a hill surrounded by a plain, it must have looked like an egret with its tall and white elegance in the paddies on the plain in the past.

The exterior of the donjon, or central keep, has 5 layers and there are 6 stories with the 1st floor being underground. A pair of shachi-gawara (grampus-shaped tile) decorates both sides of the top roof. Dormer Gable and Chinese Gable are combined to express a stylish beauty of harmony. There are three small donjons, too.

It was reopened in April, 2015, after lengthy six years of renovations. During the renovations, roof tiles were replaced, the outer walls were repainted, and earthquake resistance was reinforced. Now it stands pristine white.

Himeji Castle was originally built on the top of Himeyama Hill in 1346
by Akamatsu Sadanori as a fortification against local shoguns. Until it got
nationalized in 1869 after Meiji Restoration, the lords in control of the
castle changed several times.

In 1601, Ikeda Terumasa was handed control of Himeji Castle as a gift
for his support for Tokugawa Ieyasu in the Sekigahara battle against the
Toyotomis . He rebuilt the castle completely to its present day form. Several
buildings were later added to the castle complex by Honda Tadamasa from 1617 to
1618. The castle has kept its original
form in nearly 400 years without damages not only by the domestic warfare but
also the WWII.

During the peaceful Edo period, the castle was mainly a residence of the lord and a symbol of power. The most important castle's function, however, was warding off enemy attacks in case. The castle was protected by a formidable system of moats. Triple moats of inner, middle, and outer surrounded the castle in spiral. Outer moat is not visible from the castle site.

Stone
foundation walls and ramparts provided extra defense, some standing between
enclosures and passageways, making enemy entry very difficult.

The walls have holes to shoot at the enemy from inside. Holes for muskets were round,
rectangular, or polygonal.

The stone
foundation walls rise steeply and the upper parts curve outward. This curving
effect, called ogi-no-kobai (folding-fan slope), makes enemies very hard to
climb up and also adds to the beauty.

The stone walls were built in the 'Random Style' according to the 16th century method. At the corners the larger square stones were piled on top of one another: this form of construction was called 'Trimmed Style'. To fill in crevices, natural stones from rivers were used.

This visit in June was my first visit to Himeji Castle after its reopen. Instead of standing in a long line to go inside the castle, I strolled around along the inner moats seeing the castle from the different angles. I'd like to return in autumn to walk under the tunnel of fiery maple leaves as well as to go inside the castle.

Incidentally, Matsumoto Castle (National Treasure), Nagano, is another visually stunning castle in Japan. The keep, which was completed in the late 16th century, maintains the original wooden interiors and external stonework. It is known as "Karasu-Jyo", or Crow Castle for its striking black exterior. The black walls of the main keep and towers look like the spreading wings of a crow.

I like the contrasting black and white of the two castles. The first one pictured would be my favorite, however. It reminds me of a tall multi-layered wedding cake topped with heaps of creamy white icing. It is amazing, particularly in an age that sees so much destruction, that this marvelous monument survived, renovated but unscathed, throughout centuries. With all the trees around, it would look spectacular in autumn.

Dear Yoko - Himeji Castle is an exquisitely beautiful piece of architecture and deservedly a national treasure. I shall look forward to seeing your images when you return to find the maple leaves dressed in their autumn finery.

I think Himeji castle is beautiful. It towers above like something from a traditional fairytale.I can imagine how it must have felt to enter it in the days when it was really in use as the headquarters of a powerful person. Quite frightening despite its beauty! I'm glad it has been so carefully restored. T

A white and a black castle - both so elegant! The roof lines and the stone work on the white castle are fantastic. I love all the lines and angles of the architecture. Yes, do go back in the fall when those maples turn. I would love to see the inside. I wonder if you'll be permitted to photograph it?

Greetings, Yoko! These are both incredibly beautiful places. I had no idea there were castles in Japan. I'm afraid our system of education is not so good sometimes! And your photos, as usual, are outstanding, providing so much insight into what the castles are really like. We have many white egrets here and I can see the resemblance to the White Egret Castle. I've gone through your photos several times ... they are stunning!

Wow, what a wonderful and unusual castle! And the colour - white! Normally "defence buildings" try to camouflage in the landscape - but here it's vice versa. It looks more like a palace for a virgin Japanese princess... ;-)Have a great new week, Yoko. In the meanwhile summer and summer temperatures are already gone in Germany, we enjoy pleasant autumnal climate currently.

Both castles are so beautiful. Himeji Castle is absolutely wonderful. I would love to see this World Cultural Heritage place in person. I may never visit Japan so I will see the treasures through your camera lens.

Both castles are so beautiful. Himeji Castle is absolutely wonderful. I would love to see this World Cultural Heritage place in person. I may never visit Japan so I will see the treasures through your camera lens.

Ooh we also went to Himeji during our trip last week! I loved both the city and the castle. It rained quite a bit at that time but it didn't diminish the beauty of the castle :) Thank you for your tips, by the way. Going around was quite challenging with the rain but my family and I had fun!

What a fabulous place! I am been charmed with of having known it though in the distance. It has to be impressive to be able to see it there.Thank you for your explanations and this photographic art with which you manage to make it come to us.

Welcome to my Blog

Welcome to my blog, and my world! I’m a Japanese, born and raised in Kobe, a cosmopolitan port city, and now living in Nara, the cradle of Japanese culture. I'm happy to share things and places I love with you and exchange ideas and thoughts. Thank you for stopping by and taking time.

Hakuba Village, Nagano

Oide Suspension Bridge

Rainbows on earth

Lilies at Maishima Island

Winter pond reflection

Saho River, Nara

the sea of Kobe westward

Danny's Christmas tree

Outward from the Home Planet

The Earth reminded us of a Christmas tree ornament hanging in the blackness of space. As we got farther and farther away it diminished in size. Finally it shrank to the size of a marble, the most beautiful marble you can imagine. That beautiful, warm, living object looked so fragile, so delicate, that if you touched it with a finger it would crumble and fall apart. Seeing this has to change a man, has to make a man appreciate the creation of God and the love of God.
- James Irwin -

The Blue Marble via Wikimedia

from my son's wedding album

The Little Church

If you want your dream to be
Build it slow and surely.
Small beginnings, greater ends.
Heartfelt work grows purely.

If you want to live life free,
Take your time, go slowly.
Do few things, but do them well.
Simple joys are holy.

Isui-en Garden

About Me

I am a Japanese, non-native speaker of English, who likes to think about things and express them in English. I named my handle name "Stardust." I'm consisted of particles, like a stardust, drifting in space, hoping to shine with her spirit burning bright someday. Still, such particles feel and think on this planet -- what a mystery, what a wonder, what a blessing!
My icon lotus flower symbolizes "spiritual growth from the muddy darkness to the light of the sun".